Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneLSU rising junior Zach Mettenberger will have a leg up in the competition for starting quarterback with a year in the program, but he will get competition from incoming freshman Gunner Kiel, rated as the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the nation.

With 13 starters scheduled to return and a host of freshmen and sophomores making key contributions this season, LSU will be one of the favorites, along with Alabama and Southern Cal, to challenge for the title.

One website, CBSsportsline.com, has LSU as the early No. 1.

The Tigers will have to overcome some unanticipated losses, including defensive tackle Michael Brockers, the heart of the run defense. Five starters are back on defense and eight on offense, and the big news is that the Jordan Jefferson-Jarrett Lee controversy is gone forever. It could be replaced by another one.

"Defense and special teams fall together pretty comfortably," LSU Coach Les Miles said. "Offensively, graduating two quarterbacks, there will be a definite shift in philosophy, an opportunity to be a little more balanced, pass-run combination, than we were in the back end of the season."

"Look forward to it. It will be a great challenge. It's something our coaching staff is looking forward to, as well as a great segment of our team."

All set except QB

The Tigers' fortunes will depend on development at quarterback, where inexperience and competition will abound. Rising junior Zach Mettenberger will have a leg up with a year in the program, but he will get competition from incoming freshman Gunner Kiel, rated as the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the nation.

The competition can be expected to begin soon. Kiel is expected to enroll and participate in spring practice, and he is said to have the skills to make an immediate impact.

Mettenberger played in five games and completed eight of 11 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. But he was described as "goofy" and "immature" by teammate Will Blackwell last month despite being in his third year out of high school.

Both Kiel and Mettenberger have better basic quarterbacking skills than Jefferson and Lee. The winner will be the player who develops faster. Also on hand are Stephen Rivers, who needs to add weight and strength, and Jerrard Randall, a dual-threat quarterback. Randall might get a few extra snaps to give the offense diversity.

If LSU can get decent play at quarterback, the rest of the offense appears to be set. Running back is set with the Tigers' unique four-man rotation all returning. They will be running behind an offensive line that loses only one starter, Blackwell, and could get another starter back.

If Josh Dworaczyk is awarded a sixth year of eligibility, he would probably step in at left guard, where Blackwell played, joining tackles Chris Faulk and Alex Hurst, center P.J. Lonergan and right guard Josh Williford.

Kenny Hilliard (336 yards) came on strong at the end of the season to head up a strong running back group. Michael Ford (756), Spencer Ware (707) and Alfred Blue (539), who will be juniors, will jockey for carries, and each has different skills.

The Tigers will be hurting for experience at wide receiver, with Rueben Randle leaving for the NFL. Russell Shepard will have to make a quantum leap similar to the one Randle made last season. Shepard has been a bust since coming to LSU as a highly touted dual-threat quarterback who moved to wide receiver and caught only 14 passes this season. He didn't touch the ball in the last two games.

Freshman Odell Beckham Jr. may step into a lead role. He had 41 catches for 475 yards and two touchdowns. Jarvis Landry played sparingly on offense but was a special teams terror and will likely get a bigger role. James Wright and Kadron Boone will try to move up in the rotation. Both played on a regular basis but combined for only 12 receptions this past season.

Chase Clement is back at tight end and could play more of a receiving role with DeAngelo Peterson gone. Tyler Edwards and Nic Jacobs probably will vie for to Mitch Joseph's slot as a second blocking tight end.

Brockers hard to replace

Losing Brockers will hurt the defense more than losing junior cornerback Morris Claiborne, who had a ready-made replacement in Tharold Simon. The Tigers didn't miss a beat when Brockers stepped in for Drake Nevis. Josh Downs and Anthony Johnson will compete for the spot next to Bennie Logan, who also had a strong season at tackle.

Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo make the ends a strong position, although it remains to be seen if Mingo can be an every-down end. Lavar Edwards could end up with Ken Adams' starting job instead, and freshman Jermauria Rasco showed promise.

Kevin Minter is the only one of the top four linebackers to return, and he at least gives LSU solid play in the middle. Lamin Barrow and Tahj Jones played more toward the end of the season and are the leaders to fill the open spots. It wouldn't be beyond belief that safety Craig Loston moves to linebacker, because defensive coordinator John Chavis likes smaller, faster linebackers.

Simon and Tyrann Mathieu will make the Tigers strong at cornerback, although the team will need to find a third corner for nickel situations. It could be Ronnie Vinson, or one of three freshmen -- Jalen Collins, David Jenkins or Ronald Martin. Vinson is also a possibility for Taylor's job at safety next to Eric Reid.